POLL: Which do you prefer- Seated coins or Barber coins?

lclugza · April 22, 2003 11:58AM

And I would like you to explain why you prefer Seated or Barber coins.

ConstellatioCollector · April 22, 2003 12:01PM

They are both beautiful Coins!!!

wingedliberty · April 22, 2003 12:04PM

For me its like asking if a boat was sinking, which one of your kids would you save?, if you could only save one.

Brian.

tjkillian · April 22, 2003 12:06PM

SEATED COINS ALL THE WAY!!! Yes, Barber's are cool, but NOTHING can compare to the Seated coins, except maybe Indian Cents.

Tom

MrEureka · April 22, 2003 12:09PM

Which do you prefer- Seated coins or Barber coins?

Seated AND Barber!

homerunhall · April 22, 2003 12:13PM

If I was a collector with significant money, I'd collect Barber coins. If I was Bill Gates, I'd put together a set of Gem BU and Gem proof Seated dollars.

Actually, if I was Bill Gates, I'd try to out-Eliasberg, Eliasberg.

David Hall

MrEureka · April 22, 2003 12:17PM

Actually, if I was Bill Gates, I'd try to out-Eliasberg, Eliasberg.

David -

I hate lobbing such an easy straight line to a home run hitter like you, but what DO you collect?

Draco · April 22, 2003 12:17PM

I own a few barber pieces, but I just don't like what he did to Ms. Liberty. Was Barber trying to create a Mr. Liberty?

There is a great deal of art and grace to seated pieces. I do, however, really like the reverse design of the barber half and quarter.

Did this woman really exist? Was she the inspiration for the Barber .10/.25/.50 ?

How could Chuck design a coin as beautiful as the liberty nickle and then screw up the design of dime, quarter and half?

. . . .ahh. . .I can feel rage of the Barber lovers already

MrEureka · April 22, 2003 12:20PM

Did this woman really exist? Was she the inspiration for the Barber

She existed, but she modeled for the Morgan dollar.

MrEureka · April 22, 2003 12:23PM

Barber's Seated Liberty!

Coulport · April 22, 2003 12:25PM

Barber.
They sell better.

Draco · April 22, 2003 12:29PM

<< <i>Barber's Seated Liberty! >>

I didn't know he had designed that. . .beautiful coin. To bad it didn't become a circulated piece. Of course, I love most of the pattern designs from that time period.

Thanks for the info, MrEureka

Blade · April 22, 2003 12:44PM

Seated Liberty. Much more interesting variations in the series for a type collector like me.

mrdq · April 22, 2003 12:44PM

I could look it up but it's easier to just ask you guys

Were the shield earring pattern and the school girl pattern Barber designs?

Those are my 2 biggest "WISH THEY WERE LONG TIME RUNNING COINS" but overall I enjoy the seated series more.

OK OK I looked it up Morgan designs.. so getting back on topic

SEATED FOR ME

Coinosaurus · April 22, 2003 12:45PM

Seated coins all the way! A long and challenging series that will keep you busy for a long time!

JoyofCollecting · April 22, 2003 12:48PM

Hold the history in your hand:

- Texas annexation.
- Mexican American War.
- Gold discovered at Sutter's Mill
- Civil War
- Reconstruction.
- Age of the cattle drives.
- Transcontinental railway is linked.
- Western silver from the Comstock.

These were the coins that circulated in the hands of the working man. These were the coins that took evaporated from circulation for a quick trip to South America only to wind up back in the hands of many a cowboy.

Hold a seated coin in your hand (except for the dollars really) and you hold the history of all those that came before.

homerunhall · April 22, 2003 12:53PM

Andy...In the past, I have put together Gem sets of Washington quarters, proof three cent nickels, gold commems, and $2&1/2 Indians for personal enjoyment. I was thinking about collecting again, actually because I was doing weighting for the Set Registry. I would have to say that if I had the money, I think I would do a set of circulation strike $10 Liberties. Those coins are so rare. I also have always loved patterns, they are so beautiful. I also have always been horny for Gem Seated dollars. Now that you've got me going, I'm wishing I had some fraction of Bill Gates type money. I'd definitely give TDN a go for it in Seated dollars...David

Russ · April 22, 2003 12:53PM

I used to think that Barber's were the very definition of butt ugly. But, after seeing some of the VF and EF examples posted by Arco since I've been here, I've decided that I really like the coin. To me, it has character and strength.

OTOH, a Seated in nice cameo proof is sure damned beautiful!

So, I guess I like them both.

Russ, NCNE

ARCO · April 22, 2003 1:57PM

They are both magnificent coin designs. The seated series has many collecting choices in many series, coupled with fantastic varieties and history.

Barbers are the best bargain for the buck IMHO and except for the super key dates in the seated series are vastly more difficult to find in the midgrades than their predecessors. In MS grades both series give even the most dedicated collectors a good karate chop to the groin.

Both designs when found original with nice eye appeal bring a smile to the face!

Thanks for the kind words Russ.

Tyler

P.S. All three coins were had on Ebay.

Max · April 22, 2003 2:01PM

Collect Seated. Speculate Barbers! Can there be any other 2 more unloved unwatch unappreciated undervalued series?

Casey · April 22, 2003 2:08PM

My vote goes for Barber. As a relatively new collector, I knew I had to pick a direction to get started. I'm not sure what what caused the draw to the Barber series, but it's become powerful! It was probably the magnificent toning of ARCO's icon (which I have respectfully adopted as well) which I think is stunning. Take a look at a larger image of this coin and it knocks your socks off.

LucyBop · April 22, 2003 2:09PM

I'd have to go with seated coins, though I purchased many Barber coins when I was really young.

Zerbe · April 22, 2003 2:14PM

The Barber bashers must be sleeping already. In the past, I have heard some board members say how ugly Barber coins are. I could never understand that, because I love them. They do seem to be gaining more publicity and admiration lately, so maybe things will turn around for the Barber series in the near future.

mdwoods · April 22, 2003 2:15PM

Barber half dollars.

longtimecollector · April 22, 2003 2:46PM

For "complet-ability"...... Barbers.........

To experience the "joy" of collecting....... Seated.........

A few years back, I put together a complete set of Barber Halves in VG+ in 3 shows for less than $1000.......

30 years ago, I started collecting Seated Halves by date/die variety....... I now have over 130 differents date/variety Seated Halves, have spent probably 20K, and have barely scratched the surface......

Without going back to see who posted it, I agree that the Seated series is by far one of the most unappreciated and undervalued (talking half dollars here)..........

Still a cherrypickers field of dreams !!!!!!!!!

longtimecollector · April 22, 2003 2:48PM

Forgot the MOST IMPORTANT comment..........

The Mint made Frankies so Barber lovers would have something to laugh at !!!!!!!!!

Dave99B · April 22, 2003 2:55PM

That's a toughie. Barbers vs Ike Dollars would have been an easier call.

While I love Seated material, I prefer the Barber quarter and half. I like the reverse design of the Barbers MUCH more.

As far as degree of difficultly goes, I can only speak to the Barber quarters. It's virtually impossible to put together a complete (original) VF/XF set. Give it a try, and check back with me in about 2023. I think the Seated halves may be just as tough. BRUTAL SERIES.

Dave

MacCrimmon · April 22, 2003 3:01PM

NO CONTEST!!!

SEATED

BRITANNIA RULES

MacC.

longtimecollector · April 22, 2003 3:03PM

Barber Reverse better looking? To quote someone I never thought I'd quote..... Buwahhahahahaha......
The scalded chicked vs. "Pete" the eagle???? Gimme a break........ BTW....... at the mint in Philly, you can see "Pete" the eagle, supposedly the actual model for the Seated Half reverse...... He's stuffed and on disply....... an interesting story there....... supposedly he was just a "stray" that used to hang out at the Philly mint...... until one day....... as the story goes....... Old Pete ended up in some machinery.......

Probably 19th century urban legend, but a neat story none the less

MacCrimmon · April 22, 2003 3:10PM

<< <i> I'd have to go with seated coins, though I purchased many Barber coins when I was really young. >>

Hey, be bop your Lula......

Wish I could have purchased Barbers directly from the Mint!!!!! hahahahaha!!!

Dave99B · April 22, 2003 3:12PM

Barber Reverse better looking?

Yup. Obviously....

Dave

oldcameoproofsguy · April 22, 2003 4:51PM

I love Barber proofs, especially the DCAMS! These are some beautiful coins. I have always loved the design and ignored all who have criticized it for whatever reason. Collecting these coins has been really rewarding for me. They are quite rare and still reasonably priced considering how difficult they are to obtain.

michael · April 22, 2003 5:48PM

well both are great and oldcameo proofsguy really REALLY git home on the barbers

along with homerun hall the barbers are basicially really rare coins with monster low pops and even lower prices they havre actually gone down in value re barber halves in gem unc and gem proof wuarters that last three years

these are the coins to buy buy buy

sincerely michael even seated can be had reasonable with reemendous potential

sincerely michael

BigD5 · April 22, 2003 8:28PM

I like them both. Quarters are my favorite, seated and Barber.

Michael hit the nail on the head, proof Barber's are CHEAP. Way too cheap for their populations, and have absolutely no where to go but up. Stock up while you can

baccaruda · April 22, 2003 11:40PM

but I just don't like what he did to Ms. Liberty. Was Barber trying to create a Mr. Liberty?

you mean the bust on the Barber is supposed to be a GIRL?

JoyofCollecting · April 22, 2003 11:49PM

Call me an idiot...I just did....but is the Barber bust seriously supposed to be female? It never occurred to me that it was anything other than a man. Not that I think it is ugly... it's much better than the coins we have today. I just always assumed it was a man.

Please don't tell me it's Mrs. Franklin on the half as well.

Trime · April 23, 2003 12:30AM

LS coins are so much fun to collect. They came from a period when there were many varieties. They have been extensively studied (see Gobrecht Journals) but new discoveries are made every year. They are great coins for the serious student of the field. For these reasons they are one of my favorites.
I do not especially collect Barber coins but appreciate their beauty and have lots of attraction (see Hall and Michael comments).
Maybe next year.

jonesy · April 23, 2003 12:32AM

I read somewhere that the Barber face was supposed to be neither male or female on purpose.

Oh, I like both.

Glenn

paigowjohnny · April 23, 2003 12:38AM

Neither of them really do anything for me...but if I were to pick one, I'd go for Barbers.

baccaruda · April 23, 2003 12:44AM

Please don't tell me it's Mrs. Franklin on the half as well.

no woman is that ugly.

tjkillian · April 23, 2003 1:08AM

Barracuda - Actually if you've seen a picture of Susan B. Anthony, not the one on the coin, you might disagree. She was so ugly, she would scare the warts off a toad

Tom

baccaruda · April 23, 2003 1:22AM

I'll take your word on that TJ. man, they blocked my pic of Janet Reno.

lathmach · April 23, 2003 3:27AM

It's the Seated coins for me. I believe they are undervalued with the exceptions of the common dates.

Ray

barberlover · April 23, 2003 8:24AM

lets see, hmmm, trying to be impartial about this. Well, i guess i can't keep it a secret any longer {LOL}

I love seated coins, but an original barber half is more affordable [by type] and to me much more desirable. Also i think the Barber series has much more potential to hold it's value at realistic values than many "hot" coins due [like "rare" proof buffalo nickels] or 32 d washington quarters in the grade of 64 selling for 4-5 k.

If anybody thinks Ms. Barber is homely [or worse]
take a look at the 1902 S barber quarter in 64 i sold to Larry Whittlow's last week, i do occasionaly buy blast white when the coin is nice, that piece is a much better value [and rare] compared to a pop. of over 200 graded 64 for the 32 d washinton at more than 3 x as much mula!!!

I hope i didn't leave anyone with the impression that i play favorites. [lol] Les

maddogale · April 23, 2003 8:36AM

As to the design, I like the seated better. But the Barber series has a cool "aura" about it. By that I mean that this series came into being around the time that the US was becoming in sorts a type of 'Young Rome'. We were about to emerge as a world power, and as such the Barber coinage to me reflected that image, a bit 'Romanesque'.

DCAMFranklin · April 23, 2003 8:47AM

DCAM coinage of either series are spectacular. However, I am partial to the Seated Halves. The very first expensive coin I ever owned.

Elcontador · April 23, 2003 10:10AM

I think the design of the Seated series coins is more intricate & to me, interesting than that of the Barber coinage. For some reason, more high grade and attractive examples of Seated coinage seem to be available than their Barber counterparts.

I found it easier to obtain attractive mint state Seated coins (with & without motto) for my collection than Barber coinage. I got so frustrated looking for nice Unc. Barbers that I got proof coins instead.

michael · April 23, 2003 1:59PM

elcon hit the nail on the head to find gem 65 coins with amazing eyenappeal PQ in the holder ansd either thick skinned original white coins in the case of barber halves with monster lustre and also barber quarters and dines with also monster lustre and exceptional toning is downright rare

all you see is either dark or ugly or dipped blast white mintstare barber coins yuk yuk yuk

sincerely michael

i guess a no brainer buy coin for the collector they will have their place in the sun so to speak but it will takes time maybe next year? who kmnows??

another cloin even more underval;ued is the half dimes of liberry seated series legend obverse halfdimes in mintstate 66 and 67 if you can get it forget about the 68 coins!

sincerely michael

lclugza · April 25, 2003 12:01PM

I voted for "I like both equally." Can't make up my mind!

I like the Seated design a lot, especially the half dollar and the very early ones of other denominations (the ones that had Gobrecht's original design, not the heavily remodeled design by Robert Ball Hughes).

I also like the Barber design a lot; I like the ones in MS/Proof where Liberty really looks like a lady! These new-looking coins actually show a quite pretty Liberty. After a bit of wear Liberty seems to take on a more masculine, less attractive appearance, in my opinion. A big problam with Barbers is that most seem to be worn to VG or lower grade; in Fine or better circulated grade, Seated coins seem to be more common than Barbers.

POLL: Which do you prefer- Seated coins or Barber coins?

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